Control mechanism



Feb. 20, 1951 R. M. FLANAGAN 2,542,863

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 poberi'lll'lwcagaw.

Feb. 20, 1951 R, FLANAGAN 2,542,863

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 i O gwuc/rvfm 306 75 Raberi'lili'lalcczgwb Fb. 20, 1951 M, FLANAGAN 2,542,863

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 20, 1951 .CQ TBQL MECHANISM rRohert tMichael Flanagan, Glen zltock, \N. L, .as-

n r t nd x Aviation (lqmo at qn "Ea e ,bpro summ of De aware.

Appli0ati0nf-TanmLlfy-f9, 1945f,t'serialwmevzmm tannins, 401- 244mm) 1 The present invention relates to improved mechanism for operating inflatable elements :of

the type mounted on airioil' surfacesof an air craft for eliminating and-preventing the accumulatio-n'of ice on'such'sur-f-aces.

More particularly the present inventionrelates to a novel-compact assemblage .of operating mechanism -for-controlling the inflation and deflation of such iceeliminating elements or inflatable An-0bject of the present invention is :to provide in; a "single housing I a novel compact assemblage of operating parts including a pump, a snap action distributor valve, -timin mechanism for controlling the intervals of' inflation "Of- 1311615106 eliminating elements and-amotor 'meansior; drivel ing the aforenoted operating mechanism.

Another object of-the =-invention is to provide a-novel snap action escapement mechanism-nor controlling the operation of the distributor mechanism.

A-nether object oftheinvention is to prov-ide a novel-compact distributor -valvemechanism :for controlling the infiation and" clefiationylofwthe inflatable-elements.

Another object -of the invention is toprovride a novel escapemen-t -mechanism-'-for controlling the operation -of the distributor, including novel means for stopping the distributor valverat a predeterminedposition.

Another object of the invention is to *provide a v novel spring -Wound snap action distributor-valve actuating mechanism, including novel safety means so arranged that :in the event of breakage of the actuating spring, continuedoperation of thedistributor valve may beefiected.

\ Another object of theinvention-is to-provide a novel air pump arrangement, including -a *novel tubular air: filter at the =inlet of the pump;

Another object of the invention is to provideat one "end :of the novel :tubula-r "air =pumfpfilter anemergency uvalve arranged -so -as to open in the eventpassage: of air throughthefilter becomes obstructed.

Another object of the invention -is --to 'pr-ovide novel: means for mounting .the tubular filter at the inletof the air pump.

iQthBLObjeCtS will appearafroma study ofrthe ;l eof Figure :12 and with leer-tam 1parts,,-brokenawaytohettenwnstrate the'operatmgrmechanism. :5

.145 RLQQtstYpe blower, indicated generally joy-the umeral 3:5.iand ibestvshown inEigureS. endiofzthe shaftrlfi -isvclosed byra suitable; closure broken away to .better -.illustrate the operating mechanism.

Figure 3 isanexploded perspective rviewzofithe snap action spring actuating: mechanism.

Figure A isian vendwviewlof the mechanism .1015: Figure? and showin :the same-in operating;

relation.

.Figurefidsa side viewer" Figure-.4.

vl ligmxe o is. a isectionalu-vieweof lthe i distributor mechanismtakenialong theilines tie-Blot Elgunefl; t

Eig'uremis ram-end view ofvl ligure 1 illustrating the pump mechanism.

.FigureaS :is .a view-of "the-spump mechanism taken along the ilineszflriieofwl tigure 21.

:Eigure a9 is :a perspective-iviewiof:the distributor valve;

Figure :10 :is a gdiagrammatic mew of the oner, gizing circuit :for the t-drivingmotor .obthemeolra nism and illustrating the .operationeof the limits;

switch;

Referring to the drawinglofzli'lgure 1, therezis.

provided raimaincastingror :housing 1| "towhich theregis ,fastened atpone lend bylarsuitablexiastene.

s-memb r :2 iaxsecondi astinglor motor h usin 3: The housing :3 haslamxed thereto "the supporte V ingzqr mountingihraeketsil and 5. :Gargriedwithin the :h0using23 .isalsuitable electric motor lilwvhich may be conventional :in rtyvpe Earnd arranged;-.=-to drivei'aisha-ft his; The-shaft Jr! has keyemthereto x aneimpelleri element M fori-drawing air for,cooling the motor .lfl through suitable openings, 11101? shown, normed in :the i end i. of 15119 casting-3139415161: :outvan opening reformed in the side loft [the-1 casting 232.

The shaft ll is supported ataonelendl'byaball bearings .18., hile :at :the opposite end similar ball ;bearings, no; t ,show n,- are provided;

Thesshafit I; l ,;is connected atsone tend. :thrpugh; aafloatingispline collplin eiil atoneqendrof a shaft arota ably esuppontedxin :the housingd by .iballi The shaft 25 :has affixed :at v

bearings 26 and 21. the eopposite endone impeller .elementml lofga member 218.

(Keyed towthe shaft i2fir-iswa gear :36 .driving a -seoond gear :(ilr-as showniniEigure 2. -The-=gear 3his keyedmoa second shaitJlll -which is rotatablyr supported in :the casting by :ball bearings, not

show-n; ibut-which-mayvbe similar :to the bean ingsdii and i lersupportingeshaft -25.

Atsonel end of: the shaft 40" there piS afiixed xan ing with the gear 46. The gear 48 is afiixed to a' shaft 56 supported atopposite-ends by suitable bearing members I and 52 in the housing I, as

shown in Figure 1.

The shaft 56 has a, helical or wormgear 55 engaging the teeth of a gear 66 affixed to a shaft 64. The shaft 64 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing members carried by the housing I and one of which is shown in Figure 2 at 65.

The shaft 64 has a suitable helical or worm gear 68 which in Figure 2, is shown broken away so as to better illustrate the operating mechanism.

Operably connected to the worm gear 68 is agear 18 which is connected to a snap action spring :actuating escapement mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 15. The latter mechanism is described and claimed in the copending divisional application Serial No. 717,838 filed December 23, lees, and now U. S. Patent No. 2,4ou,0u0, granted January 25, 1949, and assigned to Bendix Aviation corporation.

The latter mechanism efiects the actuation of a'shaft 6 with a snap action, as will be explained hereinafter, so as to ad ustabiy position a cylin-,.

drical air distributor valve Bu which is connected thereto through a floating spline 8I.

The distributor valve 66, as shown in Figure 6, is rotatabiy mounted in a sleeve 85 positioned within a housing 66. The housing 86 is amxed to the main housing I by suitable bolts 96 which also serve to iasten to the housing 86 a top plate 92 positioned at the upper end of the rotatable distributor valvetlil. At the opposite or lower end of the distributor valve 86, as shown in Figure '2, there is provideda Plate 93.

:JIhe valve 8|], as showh in Figures 6 and 9, has'provided 'a stem 95. from which radially projects wall portions 91 and 98 forming a segmental chamberiiill which is closedat'the upper end, as viewed in Figures 2 and 9, by a wall I86 and open at-the lower end by a port I62. The valve 86 has a rport I65opening through the cylindrical wall Separated byzthewalllportions 91 and 98 from the chamber 99, is a second chamber III] which is closed at of the .valve 86 into the chamber 9 9.

tatably mounted at oneend in the sleeveIIB and; is drivingly connected to the .valve- 88 through means of the floating spline 8| as previously explained. a l

..Openings IIII are provided in the plate and leadfrom the opening I02 in. the valve 86into a passage I formed in the casting I and leading into the chamber of the Roots type blower or air pump 35, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and-8.

Intermediate the opposite ends of the. passage I25 there is provided a pressure regulating valve I36 including a valve cap I3I,.a sleeve type valve I33, biased under the'force,ofthespring I into 1 a position closing the air'outletport-I36 con- .1 The sleeve valve trolled by the sleeve valve I33. I33 isbiased by the air pressurein theipassa'ge I25 at one end of the valve I33 against the force of the spring I35. Atmospheric pressure is applied to the valve I33 at the other side through a port I31. Thus the valve I33 is biased by the pressure in the passage I25 so as to open the port I36 for decreasing the air pressure in the passage I25. The valve I36 is arranged to maintain the air pressure for operating the inflatable boot elements within a predetermined differential 10 pressure range.

inlet I40 whichopens from a tubular filter I4I formed of a suitable fibrous material. The air is drawn throughthe tubular filter I4I into the pump 35. v

One end of-the tubular filter I4I is positioned in a suitable seat I42 formed in an end plate I45 of the pump 35. The end plate I45 is fastened to the casting I by bolts I46. The opposite end 20 of the tubular filter MI is held by a plate I48 secured in position'by a center bolt I43 screw threadedly engaged in the end plate I45. Valve bolts I49, and biased ina direction for normally closing the valve openings I56 by a springI;

positioned between the end plate I45and the flap valve I52.

air, the valve I52 will be drawn open-so asto permit the passage of air to the pump 35 through the openings I56. I

It will be thus seenthat air will be drawnby 5 L. the pump 35 through the opening I48 and forced under pressure of the pump 35 into the passage I25 leading to, the valve 88.

The foregoing pump, and filter mechanism are shown and claimed in the copending divisional diiapplication Serial No. 717,837, filed Decembe r .3,

1946. As shown in Figure 6, th valve 80 is rotatably mounted within the sleeve 85 which has provided therein ports I55,, I56, I51, I58 and I59 opening 3into passages I6I, I62, I63, I64 and I65, respectively,yformed in the castin 86. The passages I6I, I62, I63 and I64 are connected by suitable air pressure conduits to'infiatable elements, not

shown, mounted on airfoil surfaces of an aircraft 50 for eliminating ice therefrom, while the passage I65 open to'the atmosphere througha suitable screen I66 fastened at the outer side of the casting 86. g ,l The valve 86 is actuatedwitha snap action, as 5 will be explained hereinafter, so that the port I05 successively registers with the ports I55, I56, 4

I51, I58 and I59. Thus the passage I6I, I62,

I63, I64 and I65 are successively connected with. The respece the air pressure in the passage I25. 50 tive inflatable elements or boots operably connected to the passages I6I, I62, I63 and I64are successively inflated. The passage I65 which opensi-to'the atmosphere provides a necessary, time delay between cycles of operation of the in-,; flatable-elements and also provides means for periodically exhausting the air from the passage 1 I25 to the'atmosphere so as to effect coolingof the unit; and also serves as the home position for the valve when not in operation so that all the 70 lboojts'of the ice eliminating system'may be com-.-

pletely deflated atsuch time. It will be further noted that as the valve 86 is Air passes into the pump 35 through an air 7 At such times as the tubular filter 3 ";I4I may become obstructed to the passage of actuated'by the. shaft'I6 iii a counterclockWis'e 'r direction, .as viewed in Figure 6, the port I85 is "successivelyimoved-iout of; registration with the 1 ing .means normallypositioned to hold said secshapes '7 tary pump'35 'to the atmosphere through-ports H9, I02, valve channel 99, ports I05, I59, passage I65 and screen I66. Thus upon the opening of the-main control switch 240, the motor It will continue to run until the distributor valve 80 returns to its home position at which position all of the inflatable boots will bedeflated and the air in conduit I25 will be exhausted to the atmosphere and the switch 23d actuated to an open position. Thus deflation of all of the bootsis assured upon discontinuance of operation of the motor II). Of course; if the main control switch 240 be kept closed, the motor it will continue to be energized and the cycle of operation ofthe control mechanism will be repeated.

It. will bereadily seen from the foregoing that there has been provided novel compact mechanism for operating inflatable elements for removing ice from airfoilsurfaces for an aircraft in which mechanism there is provided a motor 50 which drives an inflating pump 35 and a snap action timing mechanism '15 for operating any air distributor valve 80 for controlling the inflation and deflation of the elements. The operating mechanism moreover includes a novel filter means I H for clearing the pump inlet air of dirt and other objectionable foreign matter before being distributed to the inflatable elements.

Further, there is provided a safety means whereby in the event the actuating spring 93 should break the distributo valve 8E3 will continue to be rotated through the pin ISE! f the driving member E8 engaged in the'slot i 98 of the trol mechanism comprising in a unitarymounting; an electric motor means, an air pump, means;

connecting said electric motor means to said air pump, a valve for selectively distributingair un:; der pressure of the pump to inflatable units, an e'scapement mechanism including a spring for. periodically actuating said valve, means connecting said electric motor means to said escapement mechanism for actuating said valve through said spring,'switch means for closing a circuitfor energizing said electric motor means so as to effect a predetermined cycle of operation of I said valve, and means driven by said electric motor "means for actuating said switch means to a position for opening said circuit at ,a. predetermined position of said valve 2. For use with inflatable units for removing' ice from airfoil surfaces of an aircraft; avcontrol.

mechanism comprising in a unitary mounting;

an electric motor means, an air pump, means connecting said electric motor means'to said air pump, a valve for selectively distributingair under pressure of the pump to inflatable units, a

first element, said electric motor means drivingly" connected between said first and second elements and tensioned by movement of said first element' relative to said second element, releasable holdo'nd element-from movement, cam means carried by said first element and operating upon move; ment of said first element to 'urge said holding means in a direction for releasingsaid second element for movement'under the tension of saidspring, means" carried by one of said elements for limiting the movement of said second element under the tension of said spring, andsaid first element being driven by said electric motor means so as to cause said valve to be periodically actuated by said spring. I

:3. The structure of claim 2. as set forth and defined therein including switch means for close ing a circuit for energizing said motor means to effect a predetermined cycle of operation of. the valve, and means operated by said first element for actuating said switch means to a position for opening'said circuit at a predetermined position first'valve chamber open at one end of said valve: to the air under pressure of said pump, said sec-xond -va1ve chamber open at the opposite end. of said valve to atmosphere, said first and sec-.

ond valve chambers having valve ports openingsuccessivelyto each of said lateral passages, one."

of said passages opening to atmosphere and the others of said passages for connection to infiat-.

able units.

.5. The structure of claim 3 as set forth and defined thereinin-which the air distributor valveincludes a housing having a plurality of pas-, sages extending laterally therein, a rotary valve having a first and a second valve chamber, saidfirst valve chamber open at one end of said valve to the air under pressure of said pump, said second valve chamber open at the opposite end of,

said valve to atmosphere, said first and second; valve chambers having valve ports opening suc-,- cessively to each of said lateral passages, one of said passages opening to atmosphere, and the others of said passages for connection to in? fiatable' units. .6; For use with ice from airfoil surfaces of an aircraft; a mechanismfcomprising a housing having a plurality of passages extending laterally therein, a rotary valve having a first and a second valve chamber;

said first .valve chamber open at one end of said valve,,a rotary. pump for supplying air under", pre'ssureto said first valve chamber through said one open end, said second valve chamber open; at theopposite end of said valve to an air pressure outlet port, said first and second valve chambers having valve ports successively opening said first and second valve chambers to each of said.

lateral passages, one of said passages opening to atmosphere and the others of said passages" for connection to said units, electric motor means for rotating said valve and pump, an energizing circuit for'said motor means, a main control; switch for saidenergizing circuit, an auxiliary switch maintaining said circuit closed, and means for actuating said auxiliary switch so as-to open said circuit upon the port of said first. valve; chamber registering with said one passage open-= ing to'atmosphere.

'7. For .usewith inflatable units forremovin g ice from airfoil surfaces of an aircraft; a mechanism comprising in a unitary housing power means, an air pump, means connecting said power means to sai'dair "pilinii, said" housing having a inflatable units for removing Q plurality of air passages, a valve arranged in cooperative relation between said pump and passages for selectively distributing air under pressure of said pump to said passages, a spring operated escapement mechanism for actuating said valve, and means operably connecting said power means to said escapement mechanism for actuating said valve through said spring.

8. For use with inflatable units for removing ice from airfoil surfaces of an aircraft; a mechanism comprising in a unitary housing, an electric motor means, an air pump, means connecting said electric motor means to said air pump, said housing having a plurality of air passages, a valve arranged in cooperative relation between said pump and passages for selectively distributing air under pressure of said pump to said passages, an escapement mechanism including a spring for periodically actuating said valve, and means operably connecting said electric motor means to said escapcment mechanism for actuating said valve through said spring.

9. For use with inflatable units for removing ice from airfoil surfaces of an aircraft; a mechanism comprising in a unitary housing, an electric motor means, an air pump, first means connecting said electric motor means to said air pump, said housing having a plurality of air passages, a valve arranged in cooperative relation between said pump and passages for seletively distributing air under pressure of said pump to said passages, second means operably connecting said electric motor means to said valve, switch means for maintaining a circuit for energizing said motor means, and means operated by said second connecting means for actuating said switch means to a position for opening said circuit at a predetermined position of said valve.

ROBERT MICHAEL FLANAGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,104,474 Buerger July 21, 1914 1,173,708 Chance Feb. 29, 1916 1,516,979 Nilson Nov. 25, 1924 1,525,839 Webb Feb. 10, 1925 1,555,287 Howe Sept. 29, 1925 1,760,902 Grattan June 3, 1930 1,769,153 Meyer July 1, 1930 1,891,101 LeCount Dec. 13, 193 2,219,339 Wells -1 July 15, 1941 2,420,137 Hunter May 6, 1947 

